Los Lobos tour makes stop at Peace Center

Wednesday

May 15, 2013 at 4:17 PM

Los Lobos formed in 1973 and are still going strong.

By BART BISHOPbart.bishop@shj.com

Los Lobos formed in 1973 and are still going strong. The American rock band from east Los Angeles is mostly known for the soundtrack of 1987's "La Bamba," re-creating the sound of Ritchie Valens for the movie about his life, but that's just one of their many achievements. Steve Berlin joined the band in 1984, the only addition to the original lineup in the band's 40-year career. Berlin plays the saxophone for Los Lobos, who will perform at the Peace Center at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in Greenville. Also on the bill is Los Lonely Boys. For Berlin, touring is the best part of being a musician because "we've always made a living playing live anyway."Berlin was born in Philadelphia but moved to Los Angeles when he was 19. He first started playing the saxophone because "like any red-blooded American it was a good way to meet girls." He ended up playing with roots rock band The Blasters in Los Angeles even though "when I first auditioned for them, I lied about being able to play the sax." Along the way he also picked up the keyboard and saw Los Lobos in concert numerous times.After co-producing Los Lobos' 1983 EP "…And a Time to Dance", he joined the band. Almost immediately, Los Lobos experienced its first mainstream success. Almost 30 years later, Berlin has worked as both a producer and session musician for the likes of the Replacements, John Lee Hooker, Leo Kottke and Sheryl Crow. The industry, however, has changed for both producers and musicians. "It's changed in every way it possibly can due to the Internet and digital media," Berlin said. He said Los Lobos "are like traveling troubadours, taking our music from town to town." The Grammy Award-winning band takes its influences from rock 'n' roll, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional Spanish and Mexican music such as cumbia, boleros and Nortenos. "People seem to like it," he said with a laugh, "but our sound is always changing and evolving." The band's last studio album, "Tin Can Trust," was released in 2010, and they did cut an acoustic album live in New York, over the holidays last year. "It's really just new renditions of old stuff," he said of the acoustic album. "With the 40-year anniversary coming up, we didn't want to get too ridiculous." Los Lobos' current tour has them teaming up with a few other musicians, including Canadian rocker Neil Young, along the way. For the Peace Center show it's Los Lonely Boys, a Chicano power rock trio from San Angelo, Texas. "It's rare for two bands to come together like this," Berlin said. "It's a real Venn diagram for our fans." Los Lonely Boys, who having been playing a style of music called "Texican Rock 'n' Roll" since forming in 1996, had a hit with their 2004 debut single "Heaven" and have a slightly younger fan base. This isn't the first time they've played with Los Lobos, having toured together many times before."It's always a blast when we're on stage together," Berlin said. All 11 musicians occupy the same stage, sometimes joining in with each other's songs, other times hanging back and admiring the musicianship. "It can get a bit confusing!"